What Does Genesis 29:19 Mean in the King James?
And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The repeated “give” makes Rachel the object of an exchange, while “abide with me” binds the offer to Jacob’s continued presence.
THE MEANING
A favorable offer can still place another person inside the giver’s arrangement. Here, “better” names Laban’s preference, the repeated “give” frames Rachel as transferred between men, and “abide with me” keeps Jacob within Laban’s household.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Being chosen over someone else does not, by itself, mean the choice is free of the chooser’s interests.
THE ROOT
תִּתִּי
titti
GROWS FROM
נתן
n-t-n
To give, set, or place.
“give” in this verse is titti. The same verb describes both options: Rachel is given to Jacob or to another man. Then “abide with me” links that proposed transfer to Jacob’s continued presence, so the root’s sense of placing or granting sits beneath Laban’s preference.
ALSO GROWS
mattanah: Gift
מַתָּנָה
This noun from the same root makes the act of giving visible as something granted by its giver.
nathun: Given, appointed
נָתוּן
This form shows that the root can describe not only giving but the state of being placed or assigned.
שְׁבָה
shevah
GROWS FROM
ישב
yashav
To sit, dwell, or remain.
The command carries the sense of dwelling, not only pausing or staying briefly. “Abide with me” places Jacob’s life within Laban’s household, adding an ongoing relation to the proposed giving.
ALSO GROWS
moshav: Dwelling, settlement, or seat
מוֹשָׁב
This related noun carries the root’s sense of an established place to dwell.
yoshev: One who sits or dwells
יֹשֵׁב
This form makes the root’s posture of remaining present in the verse’s invitation to abide.
THE PATTERN
A gift or promise can become a binding arrangement that shapes another person’s choices.
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD’s battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.THE THREAD
Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.The same root נתן (n-t-n), “to give,” appears in Laban’s later offer. That verse makes explicit how the proposed giving is joined to Jacob’s service, revealing the arrangement beneath “abide with me.”
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